Posted on 08/18/2002 5:18:22 PM PDT by Auntie Mame
Dear Freepers:
I just returned from the First Annual Free Republic Network Convention in Las Vegas.
The Free Republic Network Cruise last October was the most fun I've ever had in my whole life. The Free Republic Network Conference I just attended was the most informative and inspiring two days I've ever had in my whole life.
The Free Republic Network is stretching its muscle, not by talk, but by action. The Free Republic forum is liberty's college. The Free Republic Network is liberty's workplace.
If you attended, please use this thread to post your observations, comments and highlights of the conference. I will give mine below. But before I do, I'd like to take this time to thank Bob Johnson and the FRN board for putting on this conference. It's hard for me to find the words to adequately describe how great this experience was--and how much I learned.
Spiral Sue is my Curly Girl soul mate! She spotted my curly hair denial a mile away and had a "come to jesus" talk with me about my hair. I needed it!
Thanks for all your work, babe.
Abortion is not some "pet issue". The Right to Life is the foundation for all other God-given rights and I'll be damned if the liberal rightwing is going to give it the shortshrift as part of their keeping the GOP policy of Legal Abortion intact.
I realize -- now that most GOP are comfortable supporting abortion, the GOP Senate even confirming Roe v. Wade during the last election -- the issue had outlived its usefulness as a some "Litmus Test" issue with which to polarize left and right.
I still see no reason whatsoever to engender ill thinking on such a critical issue of human rights by engaging in the conceit that abortion is a "women's issue".
I believe in patriarchy and I know for a fact it's a man's issue and, until the men take charge, we're sunk.
Being "dead right" (losing the election but keeping moral purity) is not a goal to aspire to. Being in a political winning position to effect your desired change in policy is.
Abortion is a GOP policy. You've already won.
Sweetie,
The discussion was about public speaking and debates and spin IIRC. The specific topic was the 'credibility' of the spokesperson. Someone used the example of AnnaZ cleaning some male's clock at some 2d Amendment debate in the recent past. Another example was when the left put up a woman to debate a conservative man about abortion. The presenter pointed out that the man didn't have a chance in that debate, although some FReepers in the audience mildly challenged that assertion.
I wish you were there. It would have livened up the discussion even though the topic of abortion was used only as example in this instance.
You were at FRiva?I was. For the teaching Saturday morning, and the awards dinner Saturday night.
Okay, now I'm even more upset for not going than I was before!
My only regret was missing the Friday night mixer. Perhaps I can live without seeing Laura Ingraham in person, but I REALLY wanted to meet the elusive Snow Bunny. :(
NEXT time...The power of meeting our online FRiends in person is difficult to overemphasize. For me, that was one of the primary benefits of attending FRiva. We need to have MANY MORE such events, at LOWER cost and with GREATER numbers attending.
In the words of soon-to-be-indicted Martha Stewart, this conference was a GOOD thing! :o)
I think I'll leave you alone today until you reach 40% of the thread's bandwidth.
His Royal Podness invited Himself in the interest of burying the hatchet.Thank you for being a "bridge builder", 'Pod.
It was GREAT to meet you. I also really want to meet with the REST of my heroes in the DC Chapter.
The concept of the Free Republic Network - translating the PASSIONS of this forum into the ACTIONS that result in success in the political arena, nationwide - is far too important not to be fully supported by ALL FReepers, IMHO - regardless of whatever communication snafus and "growing pains" happened in the past.
The two papers that count are The Globe and The Hearld, The Globe generally covers the commies in a sympithetic manner, I have never seen a Hearld reporter at one of these things, they seem to pick up their coverage from AP.
I am not rude but I am going to be more agressive when I talk to these people in the future. The people in the Boston area are patriotic, though they are mainly Rats, and we do get a lot of support, but that doesn't help us get coverage.
By the way Isent my daughter to UA to learn manners.
At least now they're upfront about the fact it's our duty to embrace the "winning" tactics of Bolsheviks and tailor our strategies to the left's playing field.
I didn't take too many notes, mostly because I was talking or getting up to refill my coffee. Hehehe.
Thanks again for everything you did at the conference!
I find it sad that "leaders" of a conservative forum would hammer you for doing the right thing, in staying on message and refusing to give in to avoid controversy.
This surrender to win strategy peculiar the the GOP these days is particularly disturbing in a conservative forum.
I envy your position and stand as an individual. Being part of a targeted group (the DC Chapter) and having to sit on my hands for fear of subjecting them to the retribution and tag team tactics you have endured is an almost unbearable position.
I agree with you that the Right to Life is the foundation for all other God-given rights, and that if as conservatives we negotiate on that we have already lost the battle.
I keep hearing "stay on subject" and "repetition, repetition, repetition.
I'd venture to say there wasn't this much repetition in Jonestown.
Hang in there.
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